Franklin Me Wins Fifth In Row

September 2, 1990|By DAVE JOSEPH, Racing Writer

MIAMI -- It is five and counting for Diane Eldredge`s Franklin Me.

Despite a late rally by the Louisiana-developed Zeeruler, Franklin Me managed to win his fifth consecutive race and third consecutive stakes by a shrinking head over Zeeruler in Calder`s $54,950 Turnberry Isle Stakes. Jacquelyn`s Groom was third.

The eagerly anticipated match-up between Franklin Me and Stallion Stakes winner Mot Telbin never occured when Mot Telbin was forced to scratch out of the race due to a viral infection.

With the front-running Mot Telbin out of the seven furlong Turnberry Isle, Franklin Me and jockey Michael Lee took full advantage by leading throughout before crossing the finish line in 1:25 4/5. Franklin Me set fractions of :23 4/5, :46 2/5 and 1:11 3/5.

``I planned to stay off the pace, but the pace was so slow I went to the lead,`` Lee said.

Franklin Me had as many as 2 1/2 lengths on Zeeruler down the stretch. But under jockey Walter Guerra`s left-handed whip, Zeeruler made a strong run only to come up short.

``Don`t take anything away from the horse (Zeeruler) that finished second,`` Lee said. ``I worked him out and I knew he was going to be tough. To be truthful, my horse got a little bit lazy on the lead. But when (Zeeruler) came up on him he kicked in again.``

Said Glenn Stanchfield, trainer of Franklin Me: ``I was a little disappointed Mot Telbin was scratched. He would have been some speed for us. (Franklin Me) doesn`t have to go out there like that, with these kind of fractions.``

Franklin Me, a Florida-bred son of No Sale George, has now earned $99,240. His only loss came in racing debut April 24 when he started slow over a muddy track at Gulfstream Park.

-- Sallie Blue, the 4-year-old filly who has become a professional maiden, lost for the 56th consecutive time Saturday. Sallie Blue, who finished third in Calder`s sixth race, has finished third six times in her career, but has failed to win or finish second.

-- While many thoroughbred sales have been down this year the Ocala`s Breeders` Sale of yearlings last week showed increases.

In 1989 the average price for a yearling was $10,514 while this year`s average was $11,233. The number of horses was up by 93 over last year, and the gross amount spent last week was $8,570,500 compared to $7,044,800 last year.

-- A field of 13 are entered for today`s $50,000 Vizcaya Handicap. Express Star, Homeland and Seaquay will be the favorites... Calder will simulcast today`s Arlington Million. The Million will be the 10th race on Calder`s 11- race program.

ALL AMERICAN FUTURITY

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. -- In quarter horse racing, one mistake will beat the best of horses. Two errors and you can head for the barn.

Strait To The Bank is tough enough to beat the odds.

The 2-year-old brown colt owned by Jesse Garza of Mesquite, N.M., is expected to be the favorite in Monday`s $2 million All American Futurity, the 400-yard sprint that is quarter horse racing`s version of the Kentucky Derby.

Strait To The Bank, with a rough trip from starting gate to finish line, got in by finishing second in his trial heat Aug. 23.

The colt lost a shoe at the starting gate and his jockey dropped his whip 50 yards from the finish line.